William Anthony Lobato

Tony was born on April 2, 1952 in Dragerton, Utah, to Jose Guillermo “Willie” Lobato Jr. and Margie Lobato (Ledesma). He graduated from Nucla High School in 1970. He married his high school love Teresa Joanne Lobato (Williams) in 1971, and had three children, Cameron Anthony Lobato, Tiffany Dawn Ptaszek (Lobato) and Michael Houston Lobato.

Known to his friends as “Big Tony” or “Batcho”, Tony supported his family in Uravan and Nucla, Colorado as a uranium mill operator, driller, miner, volunteer firefighter, construction estimator and entrepreneur. He was a very sharp man and his advice and opinions were often sought by his friends and clients.

Tony was very passionate and proud of the communities that he lived in and donated a lot of time and resources to the West End RE-2 School District, town boards and countless local and county charities and fundraisers. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many big game hunts in western Colorado and many fishing trips with his family and friends on his pontoon boat christened, “Miss T.J.”. Without a doubt, he was a survivor. With his own strong will, he was (still) born, lived life, and passed on his own terms. He was very compassionate and supportive of others; he never missed any of his children’s events and always supported people in whatever they wished to pursue.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, mother, grandson Casey Ptaszek and many ancestors. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Joanne Lobato; sons Cameron Anthony Lobato (Rachel Lobato) of Grand Junction and Michael Houston Lobato (Sara Lobato) of Fruita; daughter Tiffany Dawn Ptaszek (David Ptaszek) of Loveland; Ken and Shirley Barnes (sister) of Nucla, Tony Lee Barnes of Grand Junction, Ethan Barnes of Eagle County, Justin Barnes of Loma, and many cousins, aunts and uncles. Grand-children include Camden (and great-grand-son Koven Lobato) and Amber Lobato; Cayden and Cody Ptaszek; and Haley, Houston, and Hannah Lobato.

A special thank you to all of his friends, extended family, caregivers, doctors, nurses, and surgeons along the way; especially to the one-and-only Dr. Elvira “Elvi” Rose Whiteford, MD of Loma, his doctor and friend for 14+ years, who called him “Tony the Tiger” because of his grit and tenacity. And last but not least, his Angel kidney donor and life-giver, Kate Elizabeth Gallagher (1986-2012).

He will be missed greatly as will the many amazing tamales he made for his family and friends. A journey traveled and a life well-lived. May he rest in peace and his spirit live on.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Nucla High School on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at 11:30 AM.

Donations, in Tony’s name, may be made to the West End RE-2 School District, the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) or the American Kidney Fund (www.kidneyfund.org).